Thirty years of lighting up Livermore

LIVERMORE -- Deacon Dave Rezendes's massive and wildly popular Christmas light display will celebrate its 30th year on Friday.

Tens of thousands of people visit Rezendes's "Casa del Pomba" home at 352 Hillcrest Ave. each year to view one of the country's largest holiday displays.

The theme will remain a secret until opening night, when community members will join in a candlelight procession starting at 6:30 p.m. featuring the St. Michael's Catholic Church choir and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The theme will be announced, the lights blessed, and turned on.

Tours are free, though visitors are invited to donate to Santa's Secret Service, a St. Michael's program providing gifts to shelters and hospitals. The display will be open to visitors until Jan. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.